How the car donation process works
Tell us what you have and what title issue concerns you
Start by sharing basic vehicle details: year, make, model, VIN if available, location in Michigan, running condition, and who is listed on the title. A clean title is preferred because it usually makes the pickup and transfer simple, but it is not always the only path forward. If the title is missing, from another state, has a lien printed on it, or lists a spouse, parent, or other person, say so upfront. Heritage for the Blind will review the situation and explain the next practical step before scheduling your free tow.
Gather the title or available ownership paperwork
If you have the Michigan title, keep it in a safe place and do not guess where to sign. The tow driver will bring pickup paperwork and can point you to the appropriate title handoff section. If the title is from another state, it can often still be accepted, as long as the ownership information is clear and the donor has authority to transfer it. Have a government-issued ID available, and gather any lien-release letter, estate document, or duplicate-title receipt that may apply. This helps prevent delays on pickup day.
Lost title? Ask before you order anything
Many Michigan donors call because they cannot find the title after a move, estate cleanout, garage sale, or years of storage. Do not panic. Heritage for the Blind can help you understand your state’s lost-title process and whether a duplicate title, supporting paperwork, or another route is needed. Some vehicles without titles can sometimes be accepted, depending on the vehicle, age, location, and available documentation. The best move is to call and describe the facts before spending time at a Secretary of State office or ordering documents you may not need.
Resolve liens or ownership-name questions before transfer
If a lender is listed on the title, the lien generally must be satisfied before donation, or you must contact the lender to release the title. A vehicle cannot be freely transferred while an active lienholder still has a claim. If the title is in someone else’s name, that owner usually must sign, or you must show legal authority to donate. If the title is in a deceased spouse’s or parent’s name, probate documents, an affidavit of heirship, or similar state-specific paperwork may be required. Heritage can help you sort out what applies.
Sign over to Heritage for the Blind at pickup
Once the paperwork is ready, your free tow is scheduled at a convenient Michigan pickup location, whether that is a driveway in Livonia, an apartment lot in East Lansing, a repair shop in Warren, or a rural property near Traverse City. At pickup, the title is signed over to Heritage for the Blind, EIN 58-2164446, and the driver handles the vehicle removal paperwork. After the title handoff, a DMV visit is typically not required for the donor. You receive a receipt, and if the vehicle sells for more than $500, IRS Form 1098-C is provided.
Key facts about car donation
Clean titles are preferred, but Heritage for the Blind can guide many lost-title and no-title situations.
Active liens must be paid off or released by the lender before the vehicle can be donated.
Out-of-state titles can often be accepted when the donor has clear authority to transfer ownership.
The title is signed over to Heritage for the Blind at pickup, with paperwork brought by the driver.
After title handoff, Michigan donors typically do not need a separate DMV visit for the donation.
Free towing is available in many Michigan communities, including metro Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Ann Arbor.